Principal Software Engineer Interview Questions

2,159 principal software engineer interview questions shared by candidates

The technical representative focused heavily on very specific aspects of UI components and behaviour. While I was able to answer these comfortably, it struck me as unusual that the interview went into such fine detail in that area while spending comparatively little time on broader topics that I would have expected to be more central to the role.
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Principal Software Engineer

Interviewed at Deltatre

3.4
Aug 18, 2025

The technical representative focused heavily on very specific aspects of UI components and behaviour. While I was able to answer these comfortably, it struck me as unusual that the interview went into such fine detail in that area while spending comparatively little time on broader topics that I would have expected to be more central to the role.

They ask enough questions for an entire IT department, literally everything. They searched "Software Engineer Interview Questions" and started reading the questions in the results. They expect you to have knowledge of all areas, architecture, front-end, back-end, DevOps, customer management, etc., so be sure to bring all coworkers you know to help with the interview. The questions range from the highest level to the lowest level Java questions. Questions that they themselves do not know, but, hey, it’s in Google’s results. You will have to explain in detail and draw diagrams about the project you are working on, and if you say you can't because you are not allowed to disclose (for obvious reasons), they get upset.
avatar

Principal Software Engineer

Interviewed at Capco

3.8
May 8, 2021

They ask enough questions for an entire IT department, literally everything. They searched "Software Engineer Interview Questions" and started reading the questions in the results. They expect you to have knowledge of all areas, architecture, front-end, back-end, DevOps, customer management, etc., so be sure to bring all coworkers you know to help with the interview. The questions range from the highest level to the lowest level Java questions. Questions that they themselves do not know, but, hey, it’s in Google’s results. You will have to explain in detail and draw diagrams about the project you are working on, and if you say you can't because you are not allowed to disclose (for obvious reasons), they get upset.

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